Problem
Right now there around 50,000 people in United Kingdom who use British Sign Language as their first or prefered method of communication, but why is British Sign Language nominally only used by people with an impairment?

Solution

British Sign Language has the potential to be used in more ways than just to communicate with those who use it as a first language.

By adding it to the choice of Alternative Language currently taught in schools you make it accessible to the younger generation, take that into a retail situation and you make communication for someone with a hearing or verbal impairment much less stressful. Be that "where are the toilets?" or "do you have this in a smaller size?"

Why stop there? Why should it only be those with an impairment that use it? If it's a common, non-verbal, communication then it could be used between 2 colleagues in a noisy factory environment. How about in a nightclub when you want to know what drink to get your friend? 

When you really think about it, making it accessible could really help in so many situations for those impaired or not, I know many I could and would have used it. 

By signing this petition I hope we can have this considered for addition to our schools.